Association between the degree of platelet-derived growth factor-A chain mRNA expression and coronary

M Hachida1, X Zhang, H Lu

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.

Heart and Vessels
|January 29, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) is crucial in graft coronary arteriosclerosis (GCA). Higher PDGF-A expression in cardiac allografts strongly correlates with increased intimal thickening and diseased vessels in GCA.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Immunology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Graft coronary arteriosclerosis (GCA) is a significant complication following heart transplantation.
  • Smooth muscle cell proliferation in the intima and media are key mechanisms in GCA development.
  • The precise role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in GCA pathogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between the extent of GCA and platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) chain expression in cardiac grafts.
  • To elucidate the role of PDGF-A in the development of GCA.

Main Methods:

  • Heterotopic heart transplantation was performed in 21 rats.
  • Rats received immunosuppressive treatments: cyclosporine A, 15-deoxyspergualin, or Multiglycosidorum tripterygii (MT).
  • Histological evaluation of GCA and Northern blot analysis for PDGF-A chain mRNA expression were conducted 60 days post-transplantation.

Main Results:

  • Varying degrees of GCA were observed across the transplanted hearts.
  • A significant positive correlation was found between PDGF-A mRNA expression and the grade of arterial intimal thickening (Spearman's r = 0.76, P < 0.005).
  • PDGF-A mRNA expression also showed a strong correlation with the incidence of diseased vessels (r = 0.82, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • PDGF-A chain mRNA expression in cardiac allografts is significantly associated with the extent of GCA.
  • These findings indicate that PDGF-A plays a critical role in the development and progression of GCA.
  • Targeting PDGF-A may offer a therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating GCA.

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